From L-R Darren Allen, AB Auckland branch manager, Brett Rudd, general manager Pallet Supplies, Greg Moore, operations manager Pallet Supplies, Jason Manak, Auckland sales manager

More than 500 guests attended three New Zealand-based AB Equipment Ltd Toyota 8-Series forklift launches in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington last month.

On November 23, 150 guests attended a harbour-side launch at Auckland's viaduct basin, where Toyota-sponsored America's Cup challenger, Team New Zealand, has its headquarters and training base.

Toyota had been a major sponsor of Team New Zealand for more than eight years, a statement said.

Team New Zealand, established in 1993, will compete in the 32nd America's Cup challenge off Valencia, Spain, in 2007.

AB was an official supplier of counterbalanced Toyota forklifts to the team's New Zealand and Spanish operations, the statement said. The forklifts "lift, move and store sails, rigging and keel components".

Team New Zealand managing director Grant Dalton said: "We simply couldn't do without the support of AB Equipment and [its] supply of Toyota forklifts."

AB general manager Scott Carrick said the Auckland launch was "an impressive unveiling of the latest design and innovations from two teams", AB Equipment and Team New Zealand.

AB imports and distributes Toyota, BT, Raymond, Kalmar, Combilift and Moffet brands for purchase or rental. It also distributes earth moving and transport equipment through its 14-branch national network.

AB is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hellaby Holdings Ltd, which is listed on the NZ Stock Exchange.

The statement said AB was the sole distributor of Toyota forklifts in NZ and had imported and distributed Toyota forklifts for 25 years.

Until 30 years ago, AB was known as Andrews & Beaven. It was founded in the late 1800s and was originally an agricultural equipment supplier.